Readings: エン (Onyomi), (Kunyomi)
Meaning: performance, play, act, show, exhibition, present, display, execute, render
The kanji 演 (en) is composed of the radical 氵 (water) and the phonetic component 寅 (in), which depicts a tiger (or a person moving fluidly). The combination suggests water flowing smoothly, leading to meanings related to “flowing,” “spreading,” and by extension, “performing” or “displaying” something in a fluid, continuous manner.
View JLPT N3 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 演 has 14 strokes. The stroke order typically starts with the water radical (氵) on the left, followed by the right side, beginning with the top horizontal stroke. Follow the standard rules for writing radicals and components.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 氵 (さんずい) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 14 |
| JLPT Level | N3 |
| Grade | 6 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- エン (En)
Common Words Using 演
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 演技 | えんぎ | acting, performance |
| 講演 | こうえん | lecture, address |
| 演奏 | えんそう | musical performance |
| 演説 | えんぜつ | speech, address |
| 主演 | しゅえん | starring, leading role |
| 出演 | しゅつえん | appearance (on stage, screen), performance |
| 演習 | えんしゅう | practice, exercise, maneuver |
| 上演 | じょうえん | stage performance, screening |
| 演劇 | えんげき | drama, play |
| 公演 | こうえん | public performance |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 彼の演技は素晴らしかった。
Kana: かれのえんぎはすばらしかった。
Romaji: Kare no engi wa subarashikatta.
English: His acting was superb.
Japanese: 教授の講演はとても興味深かった。
Kana: きょうじゅのこうえんはとてもきょうみぶかかった。
Romaji: Kyōju no kōen wa totemo kyōmibukatta.
English: The professor’s lecture was very interesting.
Japanese: 彼女のピアノ演奏に感動した。
Kana: かのじょのピアノえんそうにかんどうした。
Romaji: Kanojo no piano ensō ni kandō shita.
English: I was moved by her piano performance.
Japanese: 大統領はテレビで演説をした。
Kana: だいとうりょうはテレビでえんぜつをした。
Romaji: Daitōryō wa terebi de enzetsu o shita.
English: The president gave a speech on TV.
Japanese: その映画の主演は有名な俳優です。
Kana: そのえいがのしゅえんはゆうめいなはいゆうです。
Romaji: Sono eiga no shuen wa yūmei na haiyū desu.
English: The leading role in that movie is a famous actor.
Japanese: 彼はテレビ番組に出演している。
Kana: かれはテレビばんぐみにしゅつえんしている。
Romaji: Kare wa terebi bangumi ni shutsuen shiteiru.
English: He is appearing on a TV show.
Japanese: 軍事演習が行われた。
Kana: ぐんじえんしゅうがおこなわれた。
Romaji: Gunji enshū ga okonawareta.
English: Military exercises were conducted.
Japanese: この映画は今晩上演されます。
Kana: このえいがはこんばんじょうえんされます。
Romaji: Kono eiga wa konban jōen saremasu.
English: This movie will be screened tonight.
Japanese: 演劇クラブに入りたいです。
Kana: えんげきクラブにはいりたいです。
Romaji: Engeki kurabu ni hairitai desu.
English: I want to join the drama club.
Japanese: 来月、新しい劇場で公演があります。
Kana: らいげつ、あたらしいげきじょうでこうえんがあります。
Romaji: Raigetsu, atarashii gekijō de kōen ga arimasu.
English: Next month, there will be a public performance at the new theater.
Related Grammar & kanji list
Expand your study with grammar and kanji lists for other JLPT levels:
I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.